It's funny to me that all of you seem so surprised. I've been saying (on here) since shortly after the lakrrs meeting concluded that the fact that howard hadnt claimed the lakers tells us he is gone.

THE WRITING HAS BEEN ON THE WALL.

I say, no sign and trade, play out the year, let kobe pull a derrick rose (but play a little) and reload in a big way in 2014 and 2015. You idiots who think we cant get anything in future off seasons are retarded. There are GREAT free agents every year and we have the name and market for non-losers (howard) to come to LA. You short sighted posters forget that shaq came to the Lakers when we were AWFUL.

Well, that's the reason why they are feeling pessimism. That's probably the main story altogether. I thought the Lakers would ultimately consider a sign and trade if it was worth it and they were sure he was leaving.

And, it's been mentioned very consistently throughout reports that he had problems with D'Antoni and Kobe.

Depends. A lot of these reporters are just speculating. It's tough for me to really take anything too seriously

I don't think he has as many problems with Kobe as people try to say. I think he has issues with d'antonis offense, not d'antoni himself

It's funny to me that all of you seem so surprised. I've been saying (on here) since shortly after the lakrrs meeting concluded that the fact that howard hadnt claimed the lakers tells us he is gone.

THE WRITING HAS BEEN ON THE WALL.

I say, no sign and trade, play out the year, let kobe pull a derrick rose (but play a little) and reload in a big way in 2014 and 2015. You idiots who think we cant get anything in future off seasons are retarded. There are GREAT free agents every year and we have the name and market for non-losers (howard) to come to LA. You short sighted posters forget that shaq came to the Lakers when we were AWFUL.

We are the Lakers, we'll be fine.

Yeah, kind of looks like you won't be around for much longer talking to this community like that.

By the way, a 53-win season and a loss to the defending champion Rockets (in 1995-96, pre-Shaq) is not AWFUL. Shaq was also aware that we traded Divac for Kobe Bryant before he signed the contract...so if you're going to attempt to throw people under the bus here, do get your facts straight.

I mean common, from an analyst or writer's standpoint this Dwight Howard Saga/ordeal is basically money growing on trees and the perfect opportunity to get some popularity/notice. Why??? It's simple...

Because all they have to say is that "Dwight is leaving LA" and immediately the percentages are on their side. The chances of that happening are 1 to 4 Being (Dallas, Rockets, Warriors, Atlanta) being the other options. All of these writers are playing it smart and playing percentages that's all. Just wait for Dwight's word and signature.

I mean common, from an analyst or writer's standpoint this Dwight Howard Saga/ordeal is basically money growing on trees and the perfect opportunity to get some popularity/notice. Why??? It's simple...

Because all they have to say is that "Dwight is leaving LA" and immediately the percentages are on their side. The chances of that happening are 1 to 4 Being (Dallas, Rockets, Warriors, Atlanta) being the other options. All of these writers are playing it smart and playing percentages that's all. Just wait for Dwight's word and signature.

All they have to say is

"Dwight likely leaving!"

"overblow story"

"Dwight hates Kobe!"

"Dwight hates D'antoni!"

"Dwight doesn't want the pressure"

"Lakers have no way of re-signing him!"

an hour later

"But don't count the Lakers out"

"The money may just be too much incentive"

"Wouldn't be surprised if he re-signed with LA"

"Bryant had come to rage against the idea that Howard's clownish disposition could overtake the locker room, the Lakers' culture, and had warned Howard that he would never, ever let it happen."

Lol pretty crazy when you think about it...Same situation with the Nets and Lakers. Who would have thought D-Will would be the one re-signing with the Nets, and Howard would be the one NOT re-signing with the Lakers? Pretty crazy world, but the truth is that our idiotic front office forced his hand by putting their foot down, and not wavering from D'Antoni; Kobe, as well: People said/say he runs big men out of town, and to be honest, there is quite a bit of truth in that, unfortunately.